Developement...

The pool now has its bones, the shape and infinity effect clearly visible. Waterproofing it next week will be followed by cosmetic application. Heritage pools guys have done a quick and good job.

Also next week we will be painting the exterior of the building which will then enable us to remove the scaffolding from outside, move it inside and erect by the side of the restaurant. Thus enabling the insertion of the completed large sliding window frames to the pool side lounge and restaurant. Then a costly final measurement for the windows can be taken and the windows made.

One little (or large) snag is getting the pool water filters into the building. It was possible a while ago when there was a large enough hole in the wall on Southley rd, but that has since been filled in and the other entrance, the front door, is to small. So the only way in for these large heavy filters is over the top. We've had to hire a crane to lift them in, so fingers crossed that will go smoothly.

In the mean time we've been on some more spa research, this time visiting 3 different English spas to have organised tours to investigate operational procedures, no wallowing in hydro pools this time unfortunately. Instead studying the importance of customer journey, building flow and staffing practices. A couple of really interesting demonstrations on computer systems! and tours of pool plant rooms which basically look like the inside of Apollo 13. Swimming trunk spinners, flip flops, communications, signage, hot tubs, steam and relaxation room vibe. It's great coming into the spa industry with no preconceptions as we are constantly finding that a fresh approach is far more beneficial than churning out what everyone else has already done. Visiting some older established spas have given a lead on more what not to do than to do and our spin on it all is quite different which is very exciting.

Aerial photos

Metal rod supports in the pool get a good blasting with cement...

The ground floor washrooms, kitchen with a view above, plant machinery above that and the new restaurant roof ready for 90 solar panel tubes...

The original doors and windows to the old Victorian tea room, restored and replaced and the new treatment room windows above in the restored roof...

Pool walls 3 quarters done...

High powered concrete hose..

These are about 10 days ago, however it's all changing every day. The interior of the spa build is almost there, rooms plastered, door frames in ready to take doors, second fix soon. The pool contractors are amazing and it's mind bending on how they are going to achieve a completely flat pool to achieve the infinity effect over the edge all round the pool, it has to be perfectly straight.

More reserch...

It's the future...

negative compression chambers... er..humm

A spa convention in Excel arena London was the target, the mission to seek out all interesting aspects of the spa world. Arrived late due to heavy traffic on Pentonville road and realised that Bristol traffic was a lot more forgiving than in the metropolis, but traffic jams and cars in cities generally don't work. But this gave our tour guide, the font of all spa knowledge himself, who we were meeting there, the chance to get a good head start looking around the large glorified warehouse that is Excel. This was actually a blessing in disguise as 'the font' could go in and immediately sniff out all of the stands worth looking at and thus save loads of time (sat in traffic discussing brand ethos and then onto slogans and then realising we don't want one). Once inside it was clear that the world of spas at the current moment in time evolves around three things.. spray on tanning, lotions and potions and electric therapy beds. What we came to sniff out was a product range that would suit us, look great, be of great quality, all in a workable reasonable package. They were all there, Clarins, Elemis, Creme de la mere, various Parisian beauty agents, it was alot to take in, but the font was knowledgeable as ever and sliced through all the hard sell and asked all the right questions. After being given the spiel by several major producers and laden with more face creams and body butter than we could carry (amazing how generous they were after finding out we're to open a spa), we consulted on the product houses we had seen so far, only one of which stood out by a mile and we all liked very much. A further meeting has been arranged at their HQ to meet the MD and learn more about their product called..... we'll let you know after the meeting, see how it goes.

The day was finished off back in familiar territory, a restaurant. A quick bit of tapas at acclaimed Moro restaurant, the food fantastic. Moro has been a large inspiration for the Lido restaurant and in its direction so this was a treat.

Pool skeleton

Once the concrete had been poured in to level out the bottom and support the sides , the pool specialists can move on. Steel supporting grids are affixed into position and wooden sides that are higher than the surrounding ground are constructed. This gives a visual impression of the 'infinity pool' effect for the first time.

Large planter boxes have been made and fixed to the west and north walls and bamboo and other shooting plants are being inserted, this will give total privacy to the Lido. They will be watered by rain water collected from the slanting roofs of the outdoor changing cubicles.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

Victorian blue

Restored tea room windows with the beginings of the pool view balcony

'Borrowed'

The old and new woodwork

As well as all the new features going into the Lido there will be as much retention of old materials as possible, recycling where ever possible. Some of the building is so old and in such a poor state that it has to be replaced with new parts. Due to the grade 2 nature features and new materials have to be sympathetic to the original, which is great as far as were concerned, preserving and enhancing this old lido really is special. Of the 5 supporting beams that hold and make the face of the pool side lounge and restaurant, 2 have had to be replaced, above pic, and the old floor joists replaced for safety. The originals have had rotten ends sawn off and will be lovingly restored and used as chunky balustrades for the stairs from lounge to restaurant.

Drawing on experience from fitting and furnishing the Glass Boat, local reclaiming is the order or the day. The Glass Boat when it was built in 85-86 did exactly that and made good of various used and unwanted local materials, most of the boat's fittings reflect Bristol's heritage - from the original marble worktops from St Nicholas fish market, to the polished walnut and maple floor. The solid Burma teak doors originate from the old Royal Hotel, and other architectural features come from local buildings including a former police station, flourmills in Avonmouth and the Western Daily Press offices in Silver Street. Some of the portholes even come from a cross channel ferry. The Lido is successfully learning from her elder sister and has so far claimed the original wooden stair case form the currently redeveloped Bristol and West building on the center along with some beautiful old chunky wooden doors, which we have decided will polish up nicely for the private changing room doors. (2nd above). The stairs will be put to good use again leading diners to the pool view restaurant.

The original colour of the Lido form the Victorian days was a sky blue which can still be seen on some of the inside features, where possible this will be brought back to life.

So with all the right ingredients it's only right that we shall be submitting the venue to be approved as a venue for civil ceremonies.

Outdoor pools in winter?

Ok.. look normal..

Snow ball...

The Neo Baroque Szechenyi Furdo

Hungarian wet sports.. chess!

Wallowing...

Splendid exterior...

Splendid interior decor so far removed from modern day british health centers!

A common question is will the pool be open all year round and the answer is definitely yes. Do people go swimming in winter? especially in an outdoor pool with no roof, do you not freeze to death at the sheer thought of scampering around in near freezing conditions?

Well it's always been the intention to open the pool all year, mainly because it's heated anyway, so therefore will be a pleasure to swim in during the cooler months. What better way to find out than go some where that's well established with outside pools, not to mention a bit nippy, and find out how the people get on. Budapest has over 100 natural thermal spa baths, with locals and visitors proud and frequent users. We organised a comprehensive weekend research trip to see some of the worlds greatest outdoor pools and were very impressed. It was very cold but that didn't seem to stop the luxury seeking locals. The water was great at a temperature close to human body temperature and on the clear, sunny day we visited the bath, the atmospheric steam really was spectacular and people in abundance too. The feeling of walking in the cold air followed by submerging into the warm water was amazing and truly revitalising, a feeling that we very much hope to replicate in the Lido. The 'restaurant' area was basic and paprika goulash probably not our first choice but a quick rub down from the big, scary Hungarian masseuses really does make you feel 100% relaxed and refreshed. After another wallow, a couple of lengths, it was time to leave and make notes on what we had learnt from a truly fantastic day experience in an outdoor winter pool.

Pool Preperation..

..was under going in full force recently. Before the new pool contractors can proceed with building the new pool certain preparation work had to be done. This involved 33 trucks full of cement being pumped into the existing pool to seal the floor, deep end and sides. The now re enforced pool is ready for the new pool to incorporate pumps, filters, lights and feature water shoots.